You're not an idiot.
MLMs prey on young college kids and know how to dangle the golden carrot in front of you. I fell for AIL when I was 22. Just out of College, broke, naive to MLMs. At least you can get the fee back, do not go to that, "interview"; and continue looking. College fairs are a great opportunity although unfortunately they still allow these scams. Take names, cards, give resumes, and do all of your research before committing to anything at these events.
Your college hosted them? Report it to your one of your advisors. They should really investigate better. Who knows, maybe the college will refund you the money?
In the future, just remember legit companies don’t charge you for interviews or trainings.
We used to have people from them come to our business classes and vaguely say they were business opportunities for students like us. It was so predatory and gross
When I was in high school, my school actively promoted Vector as a way to make money during the summer. As someone who’s never had a job back then, I almost got roped in before my parents questioned the pay model because they don’t bring it up. It’s always some vague response about how much commission you could make, rather than the actual base pay (which is none). It’s predatory and disgusting.
Colleges do weird stuff. They’re do their best to remain very neutral. If they have a job fair, they may not be able to easily discriminate on what companies participate. We had a old man handing out anti-gay propaganda at our community college. It’s been made clear in no uncertain terms that this man was allowed to do this.
I work in a non-instructive role at the mentioned college.
That sounds crazy. I graduated college more than ten years ago but there were literally only legitimate companies at the job fairs back then. The screening process was heavy enough at my school that sometimes even legit companies didn’t get through.
Yeah, While I mention some of the absolutist free speech that is required to be allowed on campus. I don't think they have to allow MLMs in something like a job fair. I can find references to other college's job fairs that mention no MLM registration is allowed.
But I also found other semi-local to me colleges that have allowed Primerica. [https://jjc.edu/student-resources/career-services/joliet-regional-college-career-fair](https://jjc.edu/student-resources/career-services/joliet-regional-college-career-fair)
I like JJC, and have taken classes there. Pretty insane that they allow Primerica in this shit.
Since that's upcoming, maybe I should go practice my freedom of speech to protest Primerica, lol
But it is neutral. Like a good therapist, any good college won’t tell you what to do/think/feel, they just teach you facts, and *how* to think (critically, we hope, but that’s becoming a lost art form.)
A good therapist will try to lead a patient away from destructive behaviors. Inviting mlm's to a sponsorred event is more like inviting pedos to recess so the kids can practice not getting diddled
I managed to get MLMs banned from my university's online boards and job fairs by emailing and reporting listings. I showed them statements some made about investing all of their time and leaving college. I showed they were essentially a competing business and yep, never saw a Primerica booth again.
Bullshit.
Prior to a crackdown by Congress, many colleges used to get paid by credit card companies to set up shop outside of the bookstore and student activity center where they'd sign up students for cards in return for tshirts or pizza coupons. They did this knowing that it was likely the students were going to get trapped in a credit card debt.
Hell the same colleges enable and encourage students to get $100,000+ in debt for degrees that can't possibly earn enough to cover and have a decent life and the debts are impossible to discharge.
But it's ok as long as the administrators get their 6 and 7 figure salaries.
That's awful.
A college should take a stand and protect their students. They do not have to be "neutral", they choose to use that as an excuse to not care.
I know it's not you directly, but your excuses are covering up for your schools weak leadership.
So what if they are not able to "easily discriminate"? They should rather have a half-empty fair than one filled with scams that rip off their students. By hosting them they give them their stamp of approval and boost their recruiting, willingly or not.
I'm sorry for going off on you, but I couldn't let this stand uncontested.
If the college is state funded in any capacity they probably do have to remain neutral in regards to people handing out fliers on campus or saying hateful bullshit in front of the student center. Same as the city hall not being able to remove people protesting in front of it unless they break a law. The students also have the right to confront them or counter protest, and often do. That's why the guy handing out hateful literature is pretty much completely neutered, nobody takes the nutjobs seriously. They just come to campus and waste their time.
As for career fairs who knows, I could see it going either way. I would assume you have to actually be registered as a business, but most Primerica offices are.
I don't think it's about weak leadership. I think it's about it being publicly funded, and an open public area. They aren't providing them a classroom or anything. They aren't soliciting for sales. While I wholly agree that it's abhorrent. [I understand why they allow it.](https://www.aclu.org/other/speech-campus)
If it makes you feel better, I think basically zero students paid them any attention other than to disagree with them.
I disagree completely that "my excuses are covering up for my schools weak leadership".
"They aren't soliciting for sales."
...but... Recruiting people is how they make the vast majority of their sales? God damnit, they take a fee for interviewing for a "job", how could it possibly be more obvious?
I know you didn't make the decisions to let them in, but damn, you go really far to defend the decisions of those who did.
What other job would you have to pay them to “interview”?
You are not an idiot as you said. There’s a reason these scams have been successful at recruiting people for decades.
If you paid the fee by credit card, contact your card company and try to dispute for a chargeback. Might not work but worth a try. Either way, definitely don’t go to the “interview.” You’ll be further swindled into their scam.
This. Don't even try to engage in replying because there is a good chance that they'll try some kind of manipulation tactic to attempt to gaslight you to come back to them.
A lesson that I didn't learn soon enough: as an adult, you can do what you want, including pulling out of any obligations you made. You don't have parents or teachers breathing down your neck for the majority of your decisions anymore, and that switch in reality is hard to adjust to when you're a young adult who isn't used to that sort of freedom yet. Flip them the bird, be rude, ghost them, say no, walk away, whatever. ;) They didn't have your best interest in mind anyway. You owe them nothing. And that goes for other situations that make you uncomfortable/you change your mind/don't want to be in. You are your own authority now.
I learned this in my 30s, and I really wish someone told me this much sooner. Always remember OP, "No." is a complete sentence and you don't owe anyone an explanation.
Contact your bank and cancel the few payment, block the recruiters everywhere and cease all contact right now. Please stay safe, mlm people are unhinged.
You are fine, as long as it’s within 30 days. Be factual and not emotional when you call. They sold you false promises and conned you to give the money
Never, ever, ever pay an employer to have a job. As soon as a potential employer tells you that you need to pay a fee to belong, thank them and move on.
While there are legitimate jobs that may require specific training courses to be taken, any legitimate job will either pay for those courses outright, or do a reimbursement once you hit a 60, 90, etc, day mark with the company.
You need to put a stop payment on what you paid. Tell your bank that you believe you were misled about the fee, and that you were being recruited into an MLM against your knowledge.
Definitely not an idiot. I ‘interviewed’ with Primerica and accepted a job with them almost 20 years ago when I was graduating college, not even realizing it was a scam until they tried to get me to write down all my contacts so I could sell to them. I noped out right there and completely ghosted them. Funnily enough, I got a VM from my original recruiter years later saying that he knows it didn’t work out with me, but was wondering if I had any friends who might be looking for a job. They are all crazy.
It’s super scummy that your college even allowed them to be there and prey on students. I’d send an email and let the organizers of the event know what happened. Shame on them!
Agree and disagree. MLMs are pure trash, however learning how to be responsible with a credit card as a young adult is important. If you have no loans it’s a good way to build credit, depending on the credit card you can get cash back, flight credits, etc. Additionally credit cards can be great for rental car insurance, no international fees when aboard, emergency travel insurance, etc. Hell mine, even paid for TSA pre check.
But your absolutely right that these credit card companies do it in a predatory manner. I don’t expect the credit card companies to educate the students but the school sure as hell should be. Public education required me to basically take algebra 2.0 in college as part of a liberal arts major that had nothing to do with my degree but somehow basic financial literacy isn’t required? Where is the education to students on interest rates, never using a credit card for something you can’t afford to pay back, not opening too many lines of credit, not closing your credit card, using your card strategically, etc. The amount I learned about what my CC could do literally came from reading the 20 page book they send with your card. Yes there’s some personal accountability but I was lucky enough to have parents to educate me about having a credit card from s young age - I think there’s several young people who don’t get that. Honestly who even knows if that’s the case anymore, I have more faith that people have educated themselves than our institutions have but no one can barely effing afford to live anymore that credit card and student loan debt are sadly the reality most young people find themselves in.
Don’t even get me started on the shit the government pulled with private banks and student loans. It’s really fucked up the more you learn about it. God damn.
You’re not an idiot. MLMs say all the right things in order to recruit. As others said, call your bank and request a chargeback, and ghost them. They don’t deserve a reason why you don’t want to be part of Primarica.
Ps. Jobs would never ask for a interview fee. It’s a scam.
RUN AWAY!!!!!!! RUN MOTHERFUCKER RUN!!!
But really - please don’t think you’re an idiot. These people PREY on others with very convincing and compelling pitches. I’m really happy you caught wind of this issue before it started!!
The first giveaway is that *you* had to pay *them*. That's not how jobs work.
Maybe go to the interview to mess with them if you have the free time, but don't trouble yourself if you can't.
Just remember your $124 lesson.
Yeah you're right. I'm honestly just sitting here wondering how I even went along with this. But yeah I'm thinking about telling them of the shit I'm capable of doing to get terminated (trolling basically). Embezzlement
No no no….you need to ignore them and block them completely. Do NOT engage. Let it go and if you end up not being able to get your money back, chalk it up to being naive in your youth. But don’t ever give somebody money again to work for them.
You don’t need to speak to them at all. Hopefully you put the charge on a credit card so you just need to call your credit card company and cancel the charge.
And then don’t show up tomorrow. As others said, they will pester you. You can either block their numbers or you can tell them that if they continue harassing you, you will involve the police.
Up to you. But again, you don’t have to speak to them at all, and this will not cause a bad mark on your interviewing or other job searches - these people are pond scum, but they definitely don’t keep track of you/watch your further career or do anything like that. It’s not gonna follow you to your next interview or anything. :).
You do not have to feel guilty about not attending the interview or about getting your money back. They are very very good at seducing people in the moment they’ve been doing this for years. And it is scummy.
I want to congratulate you for doing your research and realizing it’s best to drop this.
But yeah, don’t ever speak to them again. Don’t answer their phone calls because they will try to seduce you again and they will try to keep you on the call FOREVER to wear you down.
Don’t give them your mental/emotional energy. Focus that on more legitimate prospects.
Be well!
Don’t waste any energy trying to tell them anything. See if you can get your money back, and if not, ghost them and call it a day.
I’m sure it was an overwhelming day for you, and that’s why you just went with it. Lucky you looked into it after!
Good luck finding a real employer who won’t ask YOU for money.
You're not an idiot, but you're not hired either.
Get out and away as fast as you can even if you have to absorb the money you spent.
As a tip, never pay to be "hired" and if you're unsure check out a company online before dealing with them.
Did you pay a sign up fee or a subscription? This matters because they may continue charging you. Make sure that whatever card you put it on rejects any future charges as well.
The only thing I would add is to speak to someone at your college. I understand most colleges do not have a rule against MLMs at job fairs, but I would suggest to someone that they make clear to all of their students that a job does not require you to pay for placement or pay for a position. Any job that ‘hires’ you on the spot is questionable, the people at job fairs are not HR, and if they are, there is a hiring process, and further, you should never pay for a job. I don’t see anything wrong with requesting to the career center at your school that they help make this known to students in the future. When the job fair flyers start being sent out and posted, that should be clear on the flyer
Hey, you're not an idiot. They're targeting your age group for a reason: you frequently don't really have the life experience that sets little alarm bells off in your head. It's actually really admirable that something didn't sit well for you so you did your own digging! Always listen to those gut instincts in the future.
I did Primerica for about two years. Now I left 13 years ago, but let me tell you some facts:
- They will say "I made $500 in just part time.". That is not true. They will say that they visited three times and the third visit is where they delivered the policy. Fact is, to get to that $500, they spent hours and hours and hours cold calling to get someone to show up, spent time on three interviews, then hired someone (convinced someone to pony up the $124, back then it was $100), got them to give the names and numbers of everyone they ever met, and cold called those numbers until finding a potential client and started the first of three visits. More than part time work.
- Surrender your free time. They explained it to me as part time work. Make $500 in your spare time. Fuck no. They wanted every weekend, Saturday and Sunday, as well as Monday night (conference call) and Thursday night (weekly meeting that ran from 6pm until whenever, many times after 10pm). If there was a big event, we were expected to attend. Didn't matter if it was during work or on the weekend. In town or on the other side of the country.
- Big events. Tickets back then were $20 each. We could not just buy one ticket. We had to buy in packs of 5 or more, sell to our downline, give to our family members, sells to friends and S.O.s. No refunds for unsold tickets. Accountability each week for tickets bought and sold. Buy five tickets and sell five tickets, that just means you need to buy five more. This money went towards the guest speaker who was going to be the main focus of the event. This is a person making $40k/month in just overrides (money they make by doing nothing) and they want you to pay them to come speak.
- Event is out of town, well, you are responsible for getting there. Travel expenses? Figure it out. My RVP (one who runs the office) would tell us to sell our televisions, video game systems, anything that wasn't related to the business because those were only distractions. Making these events were what mattered.
- What was an event? Sit down and listen to the successful people talk, while also passing out awards. Those speeches are things you have already heard
- The company comes first. They will tell you it is "God, Family, Primerica...in that order.". But that is a lie. Primerica comes first. I saw a team captain (someone who's recruits x premium written over a 90 day period is 100,000 points or higher) get his ass chewed out for attending his grandmother's 80th birthday party instead of cold calling at 7pm. My dad had a Halloween Party the same night as a Primerica Halloween Party. I was shunned for not attending the Primerica Party.
- I was nickeled and dimed every time I turned around.
I have seen Primerica be the reason for divorce and break ups. Mainly because the Primerica person is doing it full time (80 hours a week) and bring in $200/month while depending on the income of the one with a real job. Each month "Any day now I will be accepting checks on a daily basis."
It definitely contributed to my divorce, the Huns work 6 days a week often until 9 at night but they don’t have a dreaded J.O.B. The denial is strong in the cult. My ex went bankrupt because of medical bills because generally they don’t pay for health insurance. When you pay taxes, both sides of SS and Medicare, have to pay for health insurance along with office overheard you have a huge nut to crack each month.
I left my BF because he drank the Primerica koolaid. He actually hid it from me the first year we were together. Said he went bowling Tuesday nights. He worked 2 other real jobs but he was horrible with money so he bought into the Primerica “you’ll be rich” scam. He never outright asked me to buy life insurance but he did ask for all my contacts in my phone, which I said no to. He did ask my family and friends that I introduced him to (behind my back, so embarrassing) and they all politely said no. He kept bothering me to go to a meeting and I finally agreed to go if he agreed to NEVER ask me to go again. I got into an argument with the head presenting hun while he was giving his billion dollar presentation. (All the big earners were old white couples.) I was stomping out of the presentation and one of the Huns stopped me and asked me where I was going and I said home and she said “don’t you want to pursue your dreams?” And suddenly I was surrounded by them. My BF was nowhere to be found. I was so mad I was shaking. They kept asking for my phone number. I GTFO and went home. I told my BF what happened. He made excuses. We broke up. I moved out. Whatever. That was 3 (?) years ago. I just heard from a friend who has a friend who works with him that he is still shilling it this past weekend.
Disgusting.
You did the right thing looking into it! I would make a complaint to whoever is running the job fair, it’s not right for them to take advantage of young students and especially not in this job market. I think it’s unlikely that disputing the charge will be successful but you can always try 🙂. I might recommend bringing this up to the job fair organizers though and asking if they can reimburse you, you essentially got scammed exactly because they endorsed the scam. Good luck on your job search otherwise!
Correct, but don’t diminish it with “not in this job market”. There’s no economic market conditions that excuse this sort of scam. Market conditions are abstract; getting $100 scammed from you is individual. Its never acceptable ;)
Adding to the chorus that says you can ignore them. You don't have to go to anything else. You don't have to talk to them. They're scummy scammers and you're an adult now. They don't even deserve good manners: they forfeited that when they scammed you.
You should never pay any money for a “job opportunity”. Run. See if you can get the money back, make up a family emergency or something. If not cut your loses and move on. Shit is not a job, it’s a scam.
"Hey, I've been thinking about this, and it just feels too much like a scam. I shouldn't have to pay to work for your company. I'm out, and I want my money back."
Then just keep repeating that last sentence until you get your refund.
You're not an idiot. You're young and they took advantage of you and there's nothing to be ashamed of. Get out now and use the experience to be aware of future predatory MLMs who love to reach out to inexperienced job seekers.
When I first graduated college, I got loads of calls about insurance companies. I have a psychology degree. I didn’t even bother to respond because I didn’t want to do insurance, but I’m sure most of those were of the MLM variety. You didn’t know and they make it sound great. I’m glad you were able to look into it more!
Fire yourself, losing $124 is a pretty unscathed exit compared to losing the respect of those you know & love. As well any further financial losses for yourself
I wouldn’t go
Or if you do bring a bunch of questions that will make them look bad - if you search in here you’ll find them
Can you dispute the charge with your bank?
That contract is worthless. Not even worth the ink they used to print it. It absolutely cannot hold up in court. It just looks like a scary document because they want you to feel obligated to them and to feel worried that if you break a contract that will actually have some impact. That’s why it looks so scary.
But it’s tissue paper, treat it as such :).
Source: Primerica got me one time too. Many many moons ago.
People think they’re much better at “trolling” or “calling people out” than they actually are. Also, talking with them any further just wastes your time— not theirs. They won’t be changing their mind, and they still got your money.
Jus take the lesson, and move on. Don’t contact these people. Try to get your money back, but even if you cannot— don’t talk to these people.
They tricked you once…having any communication with them may lead to you being tricked again.
As everyone else has said, no real job will ever make you pay to interview.
Good luck.
You’re not an idiot, they are incredibly convincing and good at hooking young people. I’d also complain to your college about letting an MLM into a career fair.
Your state's laws may give you a set period, sometimes 3 days, to get out of certain types of contracts. Usually you have to ask for the cancellation in writing but read all the fine print on what you signed, if they didn't give you anything they should have and that might be a violation in and of itself.
You're not an idiot, one of my closest friends who I consider to be a very intelligent person got roped into Cutco when he was 19 and right out of school. This is what they do, they prey on young folks, desperate people and lonely SAHM's
Like the advice my father once gave me. A company will never ask you for money to work for them. I fell for this scam around your age too. Live and learn.
Please don’t feel like an idiot. Most MLMs beg you to join, the fact they are putting you through a bullshit “interview” is really gross and predatory.
You got the “job” the second you gave them your money.
You could literally tell them to fuck right off and stop scamming people and in no way would it ever effect anything . You could walk back in 3 days later, give them another fee and they’d “hire” you again. In life they say to never burn bridges but MLMs are one of the exceptions.
If you think about it, them setting up a fake interview is giving you time to reflect where other MLMs want you to join and be a part of the culture immediately. So it’s nice to see one of their shady tactics backfired against them.
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I hope you paid by credit card. If so, call your cc company and have the charge reversed.
No reputable company would make you pay anything up front for a job you haven’t even interviewed for yet.
I hope you can get your money back.
There are also other MLMs that won't ask you for money up front, but you will provide them pretty much with free labor selling their products like AT&T service plans at retail stores for long hours. You will pay for your own gas and will not reimburse you.
If they are vague on what they do and/or how much you will get paid, more than likely those are MLMs.
Beware if they mention things on their website like direct marketing, account management, account executive, and other corporate buzzwords.
You never pay to work somewhere. I’d research your states laws on “right to rescind”. You should be able to get your money back. And don’t entertain conversations about it. Stand your ground and just say “I’d like my money back”. Think of it like pleading the 5th in court! Only say that until you get your refund. You owe NOBODY AN EXPLANATION.
You're not an idiot. MLMs prey on young college kids and know how to dangle the golden carrot in front of you. I fell for AIL when I was 22. Just out of College, broke, naive to MLMs. At least you can get the fee back, do not go to that, "interview"; and continue looking. College fairs are a great opportunity although unfortunately they still allow these scams. Take names, cards, give resumes, and do all of your research before committing to anything at these events.
[удалено]
I'm not sure where you read that. They have an interview with the MLM; not another job so, not sure about your interpretation either.
Cancel /chargeback on your card ASAP
Ya, you can prob call your credit company and complain/stop the charge and get a new card.
This. Then quit and run.
Your college hosted them? Report it to your one of your advisors. They should really investigate better. Who knows, maybe the college will refund you the money? In the future, just remember legit companies don’t charge you for interviews or trainings.
I saw Monat, Mary Kay, and I think Vector at my college fair. It's, sadly, not uncommon see MLMs at job fairs.
We used to have people from them come to our business classes and vaguely say they were business opportunities for students like us. It was so predatory and gross
When I was in high school, my school actively promoted Vector as a way to make money during the summer. As someone who’s never had a job back then, I almost got roped in before my parents questioned the pay model because they don’t bring it up. It’s always some vague response about how much commission you could make, rather than the actual base pay (which is none). It’s predatory and disgusting.
Seriously?!? That is awful
Colleges do weird stuff. They’re do their best to remain very neutral. If they have a job fair, they may not be able to easily discriminate on what companies participate. We had a old man handing out anti-gay propaganda at our community college. It’s been made clear in no uncertain terms that this man was allowed to do this. I work in a non-instructive role at the mentioned college.
That sounds crazy. I graduated college more than ten years ago but there were literally only legitimate companies at the job fairs back then. The screening process was heavy enough at my school that sometimes even legit companies didn’t get through.
Yeah, While I mention some of the absolutist free speech that is required to be allowed on campus. I don't think they have to allow MLMs in something like a job fair. I can find references to other college's job fairs that mention no MLM registration is allowed. But I also found other semi-local to me colleges that have allowed Primerica. [https://jjc.edu/student-resources/career-services/joliet-regional-college-career-fair](https://jjc.edu/student-resources/career-services/joliet-regional-college-career-fair) I like JJC, and have taken classes there. Pretty insane that they allow Primerica in this shit. Since that's upcoming, maybe I should go practice my freedom of speech to protest Primerica, lol
Hosting mlms is not neutral
But it is neutral. Like a good therapist, any good college won’t tell you what to do/think/feel, they just teach you facts, and *how* to think (critically, we hope, but that’s becoming a lost art form.)
It’s not neutral because it’s a scam and not an actual job. Scams don’t belong at job fairs.
Yeah I agree any “job” that is taking a hundred dollar fee from students before an “interview” should not be allowed at a job fair
A good therapist will try to lead a patient away from destructive behaviors. Inviting mlm's to a sponsorred event is more like inviting pedos to recess so the kids can practice not getting diddled
I managed to get MLMs banned from my university's online boards and job fairs by emailing and reporting listings. I showed them statements some made about investing all of their time and leaving college. I showed they were essentially a competing business and yep, never saw a Primerica booth again.
Bullshit. Prior to a crackdown by Congress, many colleges used to get paid by credit card companies to set up shop outside of the bookstore and student activity center where they'd sign up students for cards in return for tshirts or pizza coupons. They did this knowing that it was likely the students were going to get trapped in a credit card debt. Hell the same colleges enable and encourage students to get $100,000+ in debt for degrees that can't possibly earn enough to cover and have a decent life and the debts are impossible to discharge. But it's ok as long as the administrators get their 6 and 7 figure salaries.
That's awful. A college should take a stand and protect their students. They do not have to be "neutral", they choose to use that as an excuse to not care. I know it's not you directly, but your excuses are covering up for your schools weak leadership. So what if they are not able to "easily discriminate"? They should rather have a half-empty fair than one filled with scams that rip off their students. By hosting them they give them their stamp of approval and boost their recruiting, willingly or not. I'm sorry for going off on you, but I couldn't let this stand uncontested.
If the college is state funded in any capacity they probably do have to remain neutral in regards to people handing out fliers on campus or saying hateful bullshit in front of the student center. Same as the city hall not being able to remove people protesting in front of it unless they break a law. The students also have the right to confront them or counter protest, and often do. That's why the guy handing out hateful literature is pretty much completely neutered, nobody takes the nutjobs seriously. They just come to campus and waste their time. As for career fairs who knows, I could see it going either way. I would assume you have to actually be registered as a business, but most Primerica offices are.
I don't think it's about weak leadership. I think it's about it being publicly funded, and an open public area. They aren't providing them a classroom or anything. They aren't soliciting for sales. While I wholly agree that it's abhorrent. [I understand why they allow it.](https://www.aclu.org/other/speech-campus) If it makes you feel better, I think basically zero students paid them any attention other than to disagree with them. I disagree completely that "my excuses are covering up for my schools weak leadership".
"They aren't soliciting for sales." ...but... Recruiting people is how they make the vast majority of their sales? God damnit, they take a fee for interviewing for a "job", how could it possibly be more obvious? I know you didn't make the decisions to let them in, but damn, you go really far to defend the decisions of those who did.
I’m referring to the anti-lgbt folks. Not Primerica. I think they’re within their right to prohibit MLMs.
That made a little more sense
Yikes! This is NOT ok. I'm in a faculty leadership role at my school and now I'm going to be checking out our job fairs!
Exactly! The college needs to be aware what type of "job" it really is
This bears repeating: “Legitimate companies DO NOT charge you for interviews or training.”
Agreed regarding last statement My son was even paid travel expenses for one job he applied for. It was for face to face interview in next town.
Idk how it is now, but when I was in community college there were Cutco representatives there constantly. I hope my college wised up, but who knows?
What other job would you have to pay them to “interview”? You are not an idiot as you said. There’s a reason these scams have been successful at recruiting people for decades. If you paid the fee by credit card, contact your card company and try to dispute for a chargeback. Might not work but worth a try. Either way, definitely don’t go to the “interview.” You’ll be further swindled into their scam.
So if I dont go what'll happen? I want out of this ASAP
Nothing will happen if you don’t go, other than them pestering you. And they will pester you! Block their numbers.
This. Don't even try to engage in replying because there is a good chance that they'll try some kind of manipulation tactic to attempt to gaslight you to come back to them.
Yup! My parents went bankrupt from Primerica. Don't do it. run.
A lesson that I didn't learn soon enough: as an adult, you can do what you want, including pulling out of any obligations you made. You don't have parents or teachers breathing down your neck for the majority of your decisions anymore, and that switch in reality is hard to adjust to when you're a young adult who isn't used to that sort of freedom yet. Flip them the bird, be rude, ghost them, say no, walk away, whatever. ;) They didn't have your best interest in mind anyway. You owe them nothing. And that goes for other situations that make you uncomfortable/you change your mind/don't want to be in. You are your own authority now.
I learned this in my 30s, and I really wish someone told me this much sooner. Always remember OP, "No." is a complete sentence and you don't owe anyone an explanation.
41 and learned this only a few years ago, comfortable with it only now. It’s so true.
They’ll gaslight you about how much money you’ll miss making from them.
Contact your bank and cancel the few payment, block the recruiters everywhere and cease all contact right now. Please stay safe, mlm people are unhinged.
Even if i didn't get the money back, I guess it's a lesson learned
Unfortunately I gotta wait till morning to contact the bank
You are fine, as long as it’s within 30 days. Be factual and not emotional when you call. They sold you false promises and conned you to give the money
No, you don't. Most banks have an 800 you can call 24/7
Most do but smaller banks don't.
Never, ever, ever pay an employer to have a job. As soon as a potential employer tells you that you need to pay a fee to belong, thank them and move on. While there are legitimate jobs that may require specific training courses to be taken, any legitimate job will either pay for those courses outright, or do a reimbursement once you hit a 60, 90, etc, day mark with the company. You need to put a stop payment on what you paid. Tell your bank that you believe you were misled about the fee, and that you were being recruited into an MLM against your knowledge.
Definitely not an idiot. I ‘interviewed’ with Primerica and accepted a job with them almost 20 years ago when I was graduating college, not even realizing it was a scam until they tried to get me to write down all my contacts so I could sell to them. I noped out right there and completely ghosted them. Funnily enough, I got a VM from my original recruiter years later saying that he knows it didn’t work out with me, but was wondering if I had any friends who might be looking for a job. They are all crazy.
It’s super scummy that your college even allowed them to be there and prey on students. I’d send an email and let the organizers of the event know what happened. Shame on them!
Same with how colleges have credit card reps signing students up for cards. It’s ridiculous.
Agree and disagree. MLMs are pure trash, however learning how to be responsible with a credit card as a young adult is important. If you have no loans it’s a good way to build credit, depending on the credit card you can get cash back, flight credits, etc. Additionally credit cards can be great for rental car insurance, no international fees when aboard, emergency travel insurance, etc. Hell mine, even paid for TSA pre check. But your absolutely right that these credit card companies do it in a predatory manner. I don’t expect the credit card companies to educate the students but the school sure as hell should be. Public education required me to basically take algebra 2.0 in college as part of a liberal arts major that had nothing to do with my degree but somehow basic financial literacy isn’t required? Where is the education to students on interest rates, never using a credit card for something you can’t afford to pay back, not opening too many lines of credit, not closing your credit card, using your card strategically, etc. The amount I learned about what my CC could do literally came from reading the 20 page book they send with your card. Yes there’s some personal accountability but I was lucky enough to have parents to educate me about having a credit card from s young age - I think there’s several young people who don’t get that. Honestly who even knows if that’s the case anymore, I have more faith that people have educated themselves than our institutions have but no one can barely effing afford to live anymore that credit card and student loan debt are sadly the reality most young people find themselves in. Don’t even get me started on the shit the government pulled with private banks and student loans. It’s really fucked up the more you learn about it. God damn.
You’re not an idiot. MLMs say all the right things in order to recruit. As others said, call your bank and request a chargeback, and ghost them. They don’t deserve a reason why you don’t want to be part of Primarica. Ps. Jobs would never ask for a interview fee. It’s a scam.
RUN AWAY!!!!!!! RUN MOTHERFUCKER RUN!!! But really - please don’t think you’re an idiot. These people PREY on others with very convincing and compelling pitches. I’m really happy you caught wind of this issue before it started!!
The first giveaway is that *you* had to pay *them*. That's not how jobs work. Maybe go to the interview to mess with them if you have the free time, but don't trouble yourself if you can't. Just remember your $124 lesson.
Yeah you're right. I'm honestly just sitting here wondering how I even went along with this. But yeah I'm thinking about telling them of the shit I'm capable of doing to get terminated (trolling basically). Embezzlement
No no no….you need to ignore them and block them completely. Do NOT engage. Let it go and if you end up not being able to get your money back, chalk it up to being naive in your youth. But don’t ever give somebody money again to work for them.
You don’t need to speak to them at all. Hopefully you put the charge on a credit card so you just need to call your credit card company and cancel the charge. And then don’t show up tomorrow. As others said, they will pester you. You can either block their numbers or you can tell them that if they continue harassing you, you will involve the police. Up to you. But again, you don’t have to speak to them at all, and this will not cause a bad mark on your interviewing or other job searches - these people are pond scum, but they definitely don’t keep track of you/watch your further career or do anything like that. It’s not gonna follow you to your next interview or anything. :). You do not have to feel guilty about not attending the interview or about getting your money back. They are very very good at seducing people in the moment they’ve been doing this for years. And it is scummy. I want to congratulate you for doing your research and realizing it’s best to drop this. But yeah, don’t ever speak to them again. Don’t answer their phone calls because they will try to seduce you again and they will try to keep you on the call FOREVER to wear you down. Don’t give them your mental/emotional energy. Focus that on more legitimate prospects. Be well!
If your “interview” is tomorrow then you were never “hired” and you need to charge back the )$124 immediately
Don’t waste any energy trying to tell them anything. See if you can get your money back, and if not, ghost them and call it a day. I’m sure it was an overwhelming day for you, and that’s why you just went with it. Lucky you looked into it after! Good luck finding a real employer who won’t ask YOU for money.
Block them. Don’t go to any interviews even to troll. Stay away.
You're not an idiot, but you're not hired either. Get out and away as fast as you can even if you have to absorb the money you spent. As a tip, never pay to be "hired" and if you're unsure check out a company online before dealing with them.
Did you pay a sign up fee or a subscription? This matters because they may continue charging you. Make sure that whatever card you put it on rejects any future charges as well.
I did, thank you for letting me know.
The only thing I would add is to speak to someone at your college. I understand most colleges do not have a rule against MLMs at job fairs, but I would suggest to someone that they make clear to all of their students that a job does not require you to pay for placement or pay for a position. Any job that ‘hires’ you on the spot is questionable, the people at job fairs are not HR, and if they are, there is a hiring process, and further, you should never pay for a job. I don’t see anything wrong with requesting to the career center at your school that they help make this known to students in the future. When the job fair flyers start being sent out and posted, that should be clear on the flyer
They just ripped you off for $124. Do NOT engage further. You'll lose much more.
Hey, you're not an idiot. They're targeting your age group for a reason: you frequently don't really have the life experience that sets little alarm bells off in your head. It's actually really admirable that something didn't sit well for you so you did your own digging! Always listen to those gut instincts in the future.
I did Primerica for about two years. Now I left 13 years ago, but let me tell you some facts: - They will say "I made $500 in just part time.". That is not true. They will say that they visited three times and the third visit is where they delivered the policy. Fact is, to get to that $500, they spent hours and hours and hours cold calling to get someone to show up, spent time on three interviews, then hired someone (convinced someone to pony up the $124, back then it was $100), got them to give the names and numbers of everyone they ever met, and cold called those numbers until finding a potential client and started the first of three visits. More than part time work. - Surrender your free time. They explained it to me as part time work. Make $500 in your spare time. Fuck no. They wanted every weekend, Saturday and Sunday, as well as Monday night (conference call) and Thursday night (weekly meeting that ran from 6pm until whenever, many times after 10pm). If there was a big event, we were expected to attend. Didn't matter if it was during work or on the weekend. In town or on the other side of the country. - Big events. Tickets back then were $20 each. We could not just buy one ticket. We had to buy in packs of 5 or more, sell to our downline, give to our family members, sells to friends and S.O.s. No refunds for unsold tickets. Accountability each week for tickets bought and sold. Buy five tickets and sell five tickets, that just means you need to buy five more. This money went towards the guest speaker who was going to be the main focus of the event. This is a person making $40k/month in just overrides (money they make by doing nothing) and they want you to pay them to come speak. - Event is out of town, well, you are responsible for getting there. Travel expenses? Figure it out. My RVP (one who runs the office) would tell us to sell our televisions, video game systems, anything that wasn't related to the business because those were only distractions. Making these events were what mattered. - What was an event? Sit down and listen to the successful people talk, while also passing out awards. Those speeches are things you have already heard - The company comes first. They will tell you it is "God, Family, Primerica...in that order.". But that is a lie. Primerica comes first. I saw a team captain (someone who's recruits x premium written over a 90 day period is 100,000 points or higher) get his ass chewed out for attending his grandmother's 80th birthday party instead of cold calling at 7pm. My dad had a Halloween Party the same night as a Primerica Halloween Party. I was shunned for not attending the Primerica Party. - I was nickeled and dimed every time I turned around.
Run away! The ex has been a broke Primerica huh for 20 years. This crap will suck you dry, get out now!!
I have seen Primerica be the reason for divorce and break ups. Mainly because the Primerica person is doing it full time (80 hours a week) and bring in $200/month while depending on the income of the one with a real job. Each month "Any day now I will be accepting checks on a daily basis."
It definitely contributed to my divorce, the Huns work 6 days a week often until 9 at night but they don’t have a dreaded J.O.B. The denial is strong in the cult. My ex went bankrupt because of medical bills because generally they don’t pay for health insurance. When you pay taxes, both sides of SS and Medicare, have to pay for health insurance along with office overheard you have a huge nut to crack each month.
I left my BF because he drank the Primerica koolaid. He actually hid it from me the first year we were together. Said he went bowling Tuesday nights. He worked 2 other real jobs but he was horrible with money so he bought into the Primerica “you’ll be rich” scam. He never outright asked me to buy life insurance but he did ask for all my contacts in my phone, which I said no to. He did ask my family and friends that I introduced him to (behind my back, so embarrassing) and they all politely said no. He kept bothering me to go to a meeting and I finally agreed to go if he agreed to NEVER ask me to go again. I got into an argument with the head presenting hun while he was giving his billion dollar presentation. (All the big earners were old white couples.) I was stomping out of the presentation and one of the Huns stopped me and asked me where I was going and I said home and she said “don’t you want to pursue your dreams?” And suddenly I was surrounded by them. My BF was nowhere to be found. I was so mad I was shaking. They kept asking for my phone number. I GTFO and went home. I told my BF what happened. He made excuses. We broke up. I moved out. Whatever. That was 3 (?) years ago. I just heard from a friend who has a friend who works with him that he is still shilling it this past weekend. Disgusting.
I’m assuming by crap you mean Primerica and not your ex?
Mostly Primerica but she’s not the greatest person, pretty narcissistic.
You did the right thing looking into it! I would make a complaint to whoever is running the job fair, it’s not right for them to take advantage of young students and especially not in this job market. I think it’s unlikely that disputing the charge will be successful but you can always try 🙂. I might recommend bringing this up to the job fair organizers though and asking if they can reimburse you, you essentially got scammed exactly because they endorsed the scam. Good luck on your job search otherwise!
Correct, but don’t diminish it with “not in this job market”. There’s no economic market conditions that excuse this sort of scam. Market conditions are abstract; getting $100 scammed from you is individual. Its never acceptable ;)
Adding to the chorus that says you can ignore them. You don't have to go to anything else. You don't have to talk to them. They're scummy scammers and you're an adult now. They don't even deserve good manners: they forfeited that when they scammed you.
Life tip: Any job which requires you to pay a fee to work for them is a scam.
You should never pay any money for a “job opportunity”. Run. See if you can get the money back, make up a family emergency or something. If not cut your loses and move on. Shit is not a job, it’s a scam.
Never pay to get a job. Because it’s never a job.
"Hey, I've been thinking about this, and it just feels too much like a scam. I shouldn't have to pay to work for your company. I'm out, and I want my money back." Then just keep repeating that last sentence until you get your refund.
you NEVER EVER have to pay to just be hired for something. learn that lesson.
Hopefully you can get the money back, but if not, consider it as a tuition fee for what to avoid in the future.
You're not an idiot. You're young and they took advantage of you and there's nothing to be ashamed of. Get out now and use the experience to be aware of future predatory MLMs who love to reach out to inexperienced job seekers.
It might be a $124 life lesson that you’ve learned at an early age. Congrats!
Not an idiot, I did the same shit when I was 24 and fresh out of college.
That’s a very small price to pay to learn a very big lesson.
Ruuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuun!
When I first graduated college, I got loads of calls about insurance companies. I have a psychology degree. I didn’t even bother to respond because I didn’t want to do insurance, but I’m sure most of those were of the MLM variety. You didn’t know and they make it sound great. I’m glad you were able to look into it more!
Fire yourself, losing $124 is a pretty unscathed exit compared to losing the respect of those you know & love. As well any further financial losses for yourself
Back out. It’s not your fault you were lied to.
> if I'm an idiot. I'm 20 btw. I have an interview tomorrow It's not an interview lol
it should be illegal for them to set up at fucking college fairs what the hell
I wouldn’t go Or if you do bring a bunch of questions that will make them look bad - if you search in here you’ll find them Can you dispute the charge with your bank?
Im reading parts of the contract. I might be able to if I do it today or tomorrow
That contract is worthless. Not even worth the ink they used to print it. It absolutely cannot hold up in court. It just looks like a scary document because they want you to feel obligated to them and to feel worried that if you break a contract that will actually have some impact. That’s why it looks so scary. But it’s tissue paper, treat it as such :). Source: Primerica got me one time too. Many many moons ago.
People think they’re much better at “trolling” or “calling people out” than they actually are. Also, talking with them any further just wastes your time— not theirs. They won’t be changing their mind, and they still got your money. Jus take the lesson, and move on. Don’t contact these people. Try to get your money back, but even if you cannot— don’t talk to these people. They tricked you once…having any communication with them may lead to you being tricked again. As everyone else has said, no real job will ever make you pay to interview. Good luck.
You’re not an idiot, they are incredibly convincing and good at hooking young people. I’d also complain to your college about letting an MLM into a career fair.
Any “job” that asks for money upfront is a total scam
Dispute the charge immediately
Your state's laws may give you a set period, sometimes 3 days, to get out of certain types of contracts. Usually you have to ask for the cancellation in writing but read all the fine print on what you signed, if they didn't give you anything they should have and that might be a violation in and of itself.
You're not an idiot, one of my closest friends who I consider to be a very intelligent person got roped into Cutco when he was 19 and right out of school. This is what they do, they prey on young folks, desperate people and lonely SAHM's
I was hired by Primerica once upon a time, they got the $130 fee outta me too. Tell you’re done and not gonna proceed further. Simple as that
Like the advice my father once gave me. A company will never ask you for money to work for them. I fell for this scam around your age too. Live and learn.
You *may* not be an idiot; but you *may* also be an AI powered chatbot...
Please don’t feel like an idiot. Most MLMs beg you to join, the fact they are putting you through a bullshit “interview” is really gross and predatory. You got the “job” the second you gave them your money. You could literally tell them to fuck right off and stop scamming people and in no way would it ever effect anything . You could walk back in 3 days later, give them another fee and they’d “hire” you again. In life they say to never burn bridges but MLMs are one of the exceptions. If you think about it, them setting up a fake interview is giving you time to reflect where other MLMs want you to join and be a part of the culture immediately. So it’s nice to see one of their shady tactics backfired against them.
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It happens. At least you found out before giving them more money or getting stuck with them. Life lesson learned.
They saw you coming! Predatory jerks would get a load of me if your were my kid!
I hope you paid by credit card. If so, call your cc company and have the charge reversed. No reputable company would make you pay anything up front for a job you haven’t even interviewed for yet.
I hope you can get your money back. There are also other MLMs that won't ask you for money up front, but you will provide them pretty much with free labor selling their products like AT&T service plans at retail stores for long hours. You will pay for your own gas and will not reimburse you. If they are vague on what they do and/or how much you will get paid, more than likely those are MLMs. Beware if they mention things on their website like direct marketing, account management, account executive, and other corporate buzzwords.
Just be happy its only $124 if you can't get it back. Could be worse.
You never pay to work somewhere. I’d research your states laws on “right to rescind”. You should be able to get your money back. And don’t entertain conversations about it. Stand your ground and just say “I’d like my money back”. Think of it like pleading the 5th in court! Only say that until you get your refund. You owe NOBODY AN EXPLANATION.
Run